Has anyone used vitamin c, l-carnitine, niacin in a topical?
(WO/1998/034610) COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING HAIR REGROWTH AND METHOD OF USE
COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING HAIR REGROWTH AND METHOD OF USE Technical Field The present invention generally relates to formulations for hair growth.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a formulation for decreasing hair loss and increasing new hair growth, and a method for administering the formulation.
Background Art While many persons proclaim that they are proud to be bald, a far greater number of persons are likely to be sensitive about the loss of hair and developing baldness. The exact cause of balding may be due to the process of aging, due to chemical damage of the hair follicle from chemotherapy or the like, or due to afflictions such as alopecia. Of these, balding due to the process of aging results in the greatest number of cases. Reference is hereby made to the description of the hair follicle growth cycle, which is thoroughly discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,122,369 issued to Dye on June 16, 1992.
The prior art contains a number of formulations which purport to increase hair growth. However, none of the prior art is seen to utilize the combination of active ingredients of the present invention. Prior art having a perceived relevance to the present is discussed below.
Of particular interest is U.S. Patent'No. 4,839,159, issued to Winter et al. on June 13,1989, as this patent discloses a composition and method for improving or healing skin conditions, and improving or preventing scar formation. The composition comprises L-carnitine in a suitable vehicle for topical application in an effective amount. Aqueous compositions preferably contain between about 1-20% by weight L-carnitine, and liquid vehicle compositions contain between 1-25% by weight L-carnitine. The discussion therein of the metabolism of L-carnitine is hereby incorporated by reference.
Also of interest is U.S. Patent No. 5,470,874, issued to Lerner on November 28,1995, which discloses a composition comprising ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and proanthocyanidine for topical administration. The composition preferably contains between about 10-25% ascorbic acid and between about 0.5-5% proanthocyanidine in combination with a high ratio water surfactant. The composition and its method of application is directed entirely to the prevention and repair of Collagen damage in the skin.
U.S. Patent No. 5,122,369, noted above, discloses an orally acceptable vitamin and mineral composition for reducing hair loss. The composition contains pantothenic acid, methionine, and divalent iron with approximately a 1:3 ratio of divalent iron to pantothenic acid. Other ingredients include folic acid, niacin, biotin, iodine, inositol, p-amino benzoic acid, and l-lysine in amounts corresponding to U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended daily allowances.
Other prior art disclose hair growth formulations which are less relevant to the present invention. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,026,553 issued to Swinney on June 25,1991, discloses a topical composition and a method of using the composition for treating male pattern baldness. The composition contains by weight approximately 90-95% vegetable (soybean) oil, 2-3% olive oil, 2-3% isopropyl alcohol and 1% water.
U.S. Patent No. 4,520,012 issued to Alfonsi on May 28,1985, discloses a topical composition for promoting hair growth. The composition, in the form of a cream vehicle, contains by weight at least 90% marrow, approximately 2-5% oil, 1-4% vegetable alcohol, 1-3% flowers of sulphur, and 0.75-2% bergamot oil.
U.S. Patent No. 5, 043,162 issued to Trager on August 27,1991, discloses a topically applied composition for promoting hair growth. The composition contains a mixture of approximately 1-3% lower alkyl nicotinate and 0.005-5.0% histamine HCI in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
other ingredients may include vitamins A, D and E, bacteriocides and bacteriostats, and suitable anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants.
European Patent No. 232,311 B1, issued to Proctor on May 12,1993, and published on August 19,1987, discloses a topical composition and method for treating baldness and androgenic alopecia. The composition contains between about 1.0-20% 5, 5-diarylhydantoin and 5-25% of a hydroxyl radical scavenger such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In addition, the composition may include between about 0.01-5.0% of an antiandrogen which interferes with the binding of dihydrotestosterone to receptors.
European Patent No. 293,790 B1, issued to Matsuoko on January! 30, 1991, and published on December 7, 1988, discloses a topical composition for preventing hair loss and facilitating hair growth. The compositions contains approximately 1.0% of extract from Illicium religiosum in a suitable vehicle. The extract contains water 63.2 (w/v%) , ethanol 36.7 (w/v%
hexadecanoic acid 0.88 (mg/l), tetradecanoic acid 0.58 (mg/l), decanoic acid 0.46 (mg/l), dodecanoic acid 0.27 (mg/l), octadecanoic acid 0.23 (mg/l), C11 hydrocarbon 0.10 (mg/l) , octanoic acid 0.10 (mg/l) and other organic compounds (as n-dodecanoic acid 1.61 mg/l).
European Pat. Application No. 279,244 A2, published on August 24, 1988, by Ferro, discloses a topical composition for the treatment and stimulation of hair growth. The composition comprises at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of heparin, vitamin K, and clofibrate, suspended in a suitable carrier.
European Patent Application No. 593,093 Al, published April 20, 1994 by Thornfeldt, discloses a topical composition foy treatment of hair loss resulting from alopecia areata, male pattern baldness, and other similar conditions. The composition may include 2-40% dicarboxylic acids having 7 to 13 carbon atoms, inclusive, and/or mono- or di-mercapto derivatives of the dicarboxylic acids, and their salts. The composition may also contain biologically active or inactive ingredients, such as keratolytic agents.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
Disclosure of Invention The present invention is a topical composition for improving the regrowth of hair when topically applied to the hair and scalp of mammals such as humans. The composition comprises L-carnitine, ascorbic acid, and niacin in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for topical application. A preferred composition contains ascorbic acid and L-carnitine in a weight/weight ratio of about 3:2. The present invention also relates to a method of using the composition to improve hair regrowth.
Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention The present invention is a topical composition effective for improving the regrowth of hair when topically applied to the hair and scalp of mammals, and especially humans. The composition comprises- L-carnitine, ascorbic acid and niacin in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for topical application.
L-carnitine, also known as y-tri methylami no-6-hydroxybutyrate or Vitamin By, is an effective agent for alleviating certain skin disorders. For a brief description of the metabolic activity of L-carnitine and the effectiveness of L-carnitine therapy for treatment of various skin disorders, reference is again made to U.S. Patent No. 4,839,159. While L-carnitine has been known to improve skin disorders, it has now been found that L-carnitine in conjunction with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and niacin improves the regrowth of hair when applied topically to the hair and scalp in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
L-carnitine, ascorbic acid and niacin are all readily available from a number of commercial suppliers.
The pharmaceutically, acceptable carrier may be in the form of aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, ointments, lotions, gels, suspensions, emulsions, and creams. The composition may be manufactured using carriers prepared according to conventional techniques using, conventional ingredients and agents which are well known in the industry. Adjuvants and other agents which may also be dispersed in the carrier include the following: moisturizers, humectants, anti-dusting agents, emulsifiers, and selected amino acids.
The composition may contain any effective amount of L-carnitine, ascorbic acid and niacin. However, the composition preferably contains ascorbic acid and L-carnitine in a weight/weight ratio of about 3:2. One formulation of the carrier (as an emulsion) utilizes distilled water, glycerin as a humectant, And sorbitol as an emulsifier. In a 3 ml. sample of the composition, 1000 mg of L-carnitine, 1500 mg ascorbic acid, and 60 mg niacin are dispersed in an emulsion formed from distilled water, glycerin, and sorbitol.
The compositions will be applied topically to the hair and scalp.
Usually the composition will be applied at least once per day for several weeks, and more preferably at least twice per day for several weeks. It also is contemplated to continue use of the composition for prolonged periods of time such as, for example, several months or several years. The duration of use depends in part upon the how long the user's hair has been thinning.
Initial results are usually visible within the first 30 days of use, and often within 7-14 days of use. It is preferred to apply the composition to the hair and scalp following treatment of the scalp with hot water. For example, the composition may be applied following a hot, shower or following the treatment of the hair and scalp with a towel soaked in hot water. In addition, the course of treating the hair and scalp with a composition of the present invention may be supplemented with oral doses of L-carnitine containing between about 300-600 mg. It is contemplated that such oral doses of L-carnitine will be necessary only for persons over 30 years of age.
In addition to the compositions described above, the present invention also provides a method for improving regrowth of hair using the previously described compositions. The method includes the step of applying the composition to the hair and scalp at least once per day. The preferred method also includes treating the hair and scalp with hot water, as described above, prior to applying the composition. In addition, the method may also include the consumption of an oral dose of L-carnitine.
It should be understood that the following Examples are offered as only to illustrate the preferred embodiments and that the examples are intended in no way to limit the scope of the invention.
Example 1 User 1, a thirty year old male with a receding hair line, used the composition of the present invention for seventeen weeks in accordance with the described method of use. Following two weeks of use, new hair growth was visible and new hair was beginning to thicken within approximately one half inch from the receding hair line. Following seventeen weeks of use, user 1 stopped treatment with the composition. Since cessation of treatment, the new hair growth remained firmly rooted in the scalp. No additional new hair growth occurred following cessation of treatment.
Example 2 User 2, a thirty-seven year old male with visibly thin patches of hair, used the composition of the present invention for four weeks in accordance with the described method of use. Following two weeks of use, noticeable thickening of the thin patches of hair occurred. User 2 is continuing treatment with the composition.
Example 3 User 3, a thirty-five year old male with distinct bald patches and thinning hair, used the composition for thirty-six weeks in accordance with the described method of use. Following three weeks of treatment, new hair growth was visibly noticeable. Following four weeks of treatment, thinning patches of hair had begun to thicken. Following twenty weeks of use, bald patches had begun filling with new hair growth. User 3 is continuing treatment with the composition.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with various preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications. The claims are intended to cover any variation, use or adaptations of the invention which are generally consistent with the principles of the invention, and including such departures from the invention as come within known and customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains.
Industrial Applicabilitv There is a high degree of sensitivity to the loss of hair and developing baldness. The exact cause of balding may be due to aging, chemical damage, or afflictions such as alopecia. Of these, balding due to the process of aging results in the greatest number of cases. The sensitivity to balding has created a significant consumer demand for products which combat male pattern baldness, and there are a number of existing formulations which purport to increase hair growth. However, their effectiveness is questionable.
Nevertheless, there is a demand even for marginally effective formulations.
Those that are proven effective enjoy an immense consumer demand. The present formulation and method of application has proven itself effective on numerous occasions, and this effectiveness is uniquely attributable to the topical use L-carnitine, ascorbic acid, and niacin in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition of the present invention is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
